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Janet T. Girouard

On the evening of Nov. 19, 2018, after a battle of declining health, Janet Theresa Girouard passed away peacefully at home surrounded her loving family. She was being comforted by family, friends and Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services, HCS. At the time of her passing she was 84 years old.

On May 25, 1934, she was born to Archie Wilfred Sr. and Elinor Wheeler Letourneau at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass.

Janet lived all her life in Jaffrey and passed away in the very house where she was raised.

While growing up in Jaffrey, she spent her summers with family in Pigeon Cove, Mass. One of her favorite memories she shared was about jumping into Grampa Wheeler’s boat to take a short sail to visit an aunt. She was proud to have been born in Gloucester and very proud of her of her Rockport heritage, especially the longstanding family home, The Gott House. It was built in 1702, and someone from the family has lived there ever since.

Janet attended Jaffrey Schools. She spent her sophomore year, however, at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Nashua. She graduated from Conant High School in 1952. She attended nursing school in Salem, Mass., and worked for a time at Monadnock Community Hospital. In addition to working at the hospital, Janet worked at Betty’s Smart Shop, Woodbound Inn and Millipore.

Janet belonged to Jaffrey Community League and in her younger years played the organ at St. Patrick’s Church. She thoroughly enjoyed playing the piano, painting and baking. She also took pleasure in many years of ballroom dancing.

Most people who hear or say the word “Whatever” will smile and think of her.

She married Ronald Christian in 1953. Together, they were parents to Keith, Kathleen, Edie and Colleen. Janet also was stepmother to Brian, Larry, Lynn and Bruce Girouard.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Archie Letourneau and Elinor Letourneau. She is survived by her brother, Archie Wilfred “Willy” Letourneau Jr., her four children, Keith Christian, Kathleen Taylor, Edie Kemp, their spouses and Colleen Christian.

She was called Gramma by her grandchildren, Jessica Soles, Jenny Kerstner, Rebecca Hansen, Robert Kemp, Scott Kemp, Adrian Christian, Nathan Christian, Stephen Blanchard and Aprylle Medeiros. Janet was G-G to her great-grandchildren and even had four great-great-grandchildren. There were also cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Many thanks go to Dr. Ferguson and the nurses at Monadnock Community Hospital. Thanks to all at UMass Memorial Medical Center — Memorial Campus in Worcester who participated in her care. Very special thanks to the big-hearted people who spent time with Janet and those who shared their generosity with the family.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, Dec. 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River St., Route 202, Jaffrey.

A funeral service will be held immediately following calling hours at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Wilfred Deschamps officiating.

Burial will take place in the spring at Locust Grove Cemetery in Rockport, Mass.